Students at Alpine Elementary School in Comstock Park raised more than $250 recently and along with a donation from the corporate sponsor, Crowe Horwath Public Accountants of Grand Rapids, the school was able to fund a Feeding America truck.

"It was fun raising money," said fifth-grader Gracyn Demann. "We sold popcorn so whoever bought the stuff got to eat it and at the same time we were raising money to help those who need food."

This is the second year the school, at 4730 Baumhoff Ave., Comstock Park, has worked together to raise money to purchase a Feeding America truck and purchased more than 5,000 pounds of food.

Those who came to get the free food got everything from bread and potatoes to salads, canned goods, juices, and other staples, and even baked goods.

Several of the families who came early this week said the free food would help them have a good Thanksgiving.

The food fed more than 60 families at this time of the year, when many really need the help. Cathy Scott has children at Alpine Elementary and she volunteered to help hand out food. She said the kids benefited from raising money and from seeing their efforts benefit those in their community who need help.

The school used to do a non-perishable food drive at Thanksgiving time and then raised money to make Thanksgiving baskets for about 15 families. "This way we are helping more families and we have more of an impact on the community," said Alpine Principal Jason Snyder.